AEPi chapter disaffiliates from National Organization

[robinseggblue]

Thanks, clemsongirl! That's exactly why.

Originally Posted by aephi alum

Why did you post that news story, if not to slam my chapter?

I can make it even simpler:

1. I thought the original post and Sen's question about motivation were interesting so I wanted to research to see if there were clear motivations expressed.
2. I found the article about Jewish organizations "returning to Jewish roots" which also intrigued me.
3. I did some searching to see if this happened under a different greek letter org.
4. I found the MIT article and posted it.

The fact that you founded this chapter is something I couldn't have known. How could I have known? I don't know who you are and I didn't read all your Greek Chat postings.

I had no hostile intention. Like I said, it's a news story...not an opinion piece. News stories should be based on factual events and that's why I posted it. I'm happy you had a good experience in your chapter and if you're debating the truthfulness of the news piece that's welcome, but if you're gonna get upset with anyone it shouldn't be me.

[aephi alum]

Ok. *takes a deep breath*

robinseggblue, I understand that you had no idea that I was a chapter founder at MIT. It rubbed me the wrong way that you happened to single out my chapter as an example of "kick out all the non-Jews". I overreacted, and I apologize for that.

All: AEPhi accepts members of any and all faiths, so long as they are ok with Jewish ideals. I wasn't turned back on my way to initiation because I was Catholic. You don't even have to be of a monotheistic faith (note my earlier comment that we had a Hindu sister while I was an active). We even had a chapter bylaw that forbade mandatory events on the major religious holidays of any member's faith - and I once went toe to toe with my chapter's president to ensure that we did not have a chapter meeting on Easter Sunday.

AEPhi was founded by seven Jewish women who - after being turned down by other sororities because they were Jewish (this was commonplace back in 1909) - connected with each other.

From time to time, if the "Powers That Be" within AEPhi feel that a chapter as a whole has drifted away from the sorority's Jewish identity, they may intervene. It seems that AEPi uses a somewhat heavier hand when determining whether a chapter has drifted away from the fraternity's Jewish roots.

</soapbox>

[RMT2013]

Originally Posted by aephi alum

All: AEPhi accepts members of any and all faiths, so long as they are ok with Jewish ideals. I wasn't turned back on my way to initiation because I was Catholic. You don't even have to be of a monotheistic faith (note my earlier comment that we had a Hindu sister while I was an active). We even had a chapter bylaw that forbade mandatory events on the major religious holidays of any member's faith - and I once went toe to toe with my chapter's president to ensure that we did not have a chapter meeting on Easter Sunday.

Okay I don't know how long you've been removed from school, but I had to come back and comment on this. The student leaders of AEPhi chapters have been told that they were "not Jewish enough" by the National Organization as recently as this past Fall semester. Several chapters are known for blatantly discriminating against women who aren't Jewish during recruitment (UT Austin's chapter prides itself on being a chapter that is 100% Jewish). While the national organization claims to "be open to all religions," the fact is they're not. They are fully aware that a chapter like UT Austin will refuse a legacy for no other reason than that the woman isn't Jewish and they haven't done anything about it.

From my own experience, no other women's Greek organization makes any sort of judgments based on a potential new member's religious beliefs during recruitment. If AEPhi wants to focus on being a Jewish organization (which, it seems like they do if they're telling chapters that they "aren't Jewish enough"), that's fine - they just need to admit it and move on (and possibly remove themselves from Panhellenic).

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by RMT2013

From my own experience, no other women's Greek organization makes any sort of judgments based on a potential new member's religious beliefs during recruitment.

[33girl]

Oh, here go hell come.

[Xidelt]

I just battened down the hatches.

And made some popcorn.

[aephi alum]

Originally Posted by RMT2013

Okay I don't know how long you've been removed from school, but I had to come back and comment on this. The student leaders of AEPhi chapters have been told that they were "not Jewish enough" by the National Organization as recently as this past Fall semester. Several chapters are known for blatantly discriminating against women who aren't Jewish during recruitment (UT Austin's chapter prides itself on being a chapter that is 100% Jewish). While the national organization claims to "be open to all religions," the fact is they're not. They are fully aware that a chapter like UT Austin will refuse a legacy for no other reason than that the woman isn't Jewish and they haven't done anything about it.

From my own experience, no other women's Greek organization makes any sort of judgments based on a potential new member's religious beliefs during recruitment. If AEPhi want's to focus on being a Jewish organization (which, it seems like they do if they're telling chapters that they "aren't Jewish enough"), that's fine - they just need to admit it and move on (and possibly remove themselves from Panhellenic).

QFP

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Amen.

[RMT2013]

I'm thrilled to see the responses to my post above. It's my honest opinion that discrimation of any kind shouldn't be tolerated, by a national organization or an individual chapter.

And yes, I said in my experience, I've never seen another women's Greek org make a judgement on a PNM based on their religion. I should have also noted that I went through rush with in the last 10 years, but have worked with members of multiple GLOs all over the country in an advisory capacity regarding recruitment issues. I have not experienced recruitment at all schools in all states or countries with Greek Organizations over multiple times during the last 50 years, and I can only know what I've learned from my own experience.

[AZTheta]

RMT2013, your experience is just that - your experience. Probably wise to refrain from overgeneralizing. Besides, unless you were sitting in membership selection in other chapters, you really don't know what's going on - neither do I. "Advisory capacity" doesn't extend to membership selection for other chapters, does it?

I know of at least two NPC chapters (at the same school) that have disaffiliated from their national organizations. I'm sure there are other examples. It happens.

[Sen's Revenge]

Originally Posted by RMT2013

I'm thrilled to see the responses to my post above. It's my honest opinion that discrimation of any kind shouldn't be tolerated, by a national organization or an individual chapter.

And yes, I said in my experience, I've never seen another women's Greek org make a judgement on a PNM based on their religion. I should have also noted that I went through rush with in the last 10 years, but have worked with members of multiple GLOs all over the country in an advisory capacity regarding recruitment issues. I have not experienced recruitment at all schools in all states or countries with Greek Organizations over multiple times during the last 50 years, and I can only know what I've learned from my own experience.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by RMT2013

I'm thrilled to see the responses to my post above. It's my honest opinion that discrimation of any kind shouldn't be tolerated, by a national organization or an individual chapter.

Membership selection = discrimination. No way around it, for any group, unless you plan to bid everyone.

[RMT2013]

Originally Posted by Sen's Revenge

You caught me. I just really wanted your attention!

[33girl]

Considering there have been first hand accounts on GC of chapters praying over PNMs (and no mention of their "Christian identity" anywhere in anything related to them) I'd say more than one group's got issues, if indeed there are issues.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by RMT2013

I'm thrilled to see the responses to my post above. It's my honest opinion that discrimation of any kind shouldn't be tolerated, by a national organization or an individual chapter.

As DeltaBetaBaby says, unless a GLO gives a bid to every person who wants one, they are discriminating.

And yes, I said in my experience, I've never seen another women's Greek org make a judgement on a PNM based on their religion. I should have also noted that I went through rush with in the last 10 years, but have worked with members of multiple GLOs all over the country in an advisory capacity regarding recruitment issues.

Care to elaborate? How many GLOs? Which ones? In what capacity?

And while you're at it, what first hand experience do you have with AEPhi and its recruitment policies and practices? Because if you're relying on what others have told you—including what they've told you about recruitment decisions—that's hearsay, not your own experience.

[curtgesture]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Considering there have been first hand accounts on GC of chapters praying over PNMs (and no mention of their "Christian identity" anywhere in anything related to them) I'd say more than one group's got issues, if indeed there are issues.

A number of sororities have "Christian identity"

Alpha Delta Pi: "...exemplifying the highest ideals of Christian womanhood."

Alpha Sigma Alpha: "It is represented through our exemplar Christ..."

Chi Omega: "'Hellenic Culture and Christian Ideals' This statement summarizes the foundation of Chi Omega. Our members recognize the efforts and enlightenment of the Greek world and they strive to uphold the values of a Judeo Christian lifestyle."

Delta Delta Delta: "After learning of the Christian principles and aims of Tri Delta..."

Kappa Delta: "... was founded on the Christian principles of truth, honor and beauty of the soul."

Pi Beta Phi: “The debate is over whether or not Pi Beta Phi is a religious Fraternity, or more specifically, a Christian fraternity. Answers vary depending whom you ask. The Fraternity was created by Christian women and based on Christian values, but...Being a Christian has never been a requirement to become a member of Pi Beta Phi.”

Phi Mu: "was started in 1852 by three Christian women...Their creed states..." "...God as a protector and guide of us all...reverence God as our Maker, striving to serve Him in all things."

Theta Phi Alpha: "Theta Phi Alpha was originally founded to offer Catholic women the experience of sorority life..."